(Lansing, MI) - The 18th annual 10 Over the Next Ten Awards were held on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the University Club of MSU in East Lansing. This event recognizes Greater Lansing’s top 10 young professionals who are expected to contribute significantly to our community over the next ten years. The 10 Over the Next Ten Awards were sponsored by Independent Bank. The University Club of MSU served as the event venue sponsor and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Martin Commercial Properties served as business supporting sponsors. The 10 Over the Next Ten Awards were co-hosted by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) and Lansing 5:01. Michigan Premier Events served as the event management partner.

The 2024 10 Over the Next Ten Award recipients include:

Ariel Backus is the director of sales at Choose Lansing and has proudly served the Lansing community for almost a decade now and advocates for Lansing as a destination for meetings, events, and conferences, driving economic growth or local hotels, restaurants, and small businesses. Backus completed her two-year term as president of the Grand Ledge Rotary Club and continues to serve as immediate past president, she is also a board member of Meeting Professional International (MPI) and the Grand Ledge Shopping Tour. Backus also served as MSU Meetings and Events Club mentor in 2022.

Aurora Lemieux-McKissic is currently a student at LCC and Northwood University pursuing a bachelor's degree in business management. She also works at the Michigan Public Health Institute and serves as the Lansing Area Economic Partnership’s business attraction intern. Lemieux-McKissic has a passion for making connections and learning new things and is focused on developing her business. She has served on the Lansing School District’s Equity Advisory Board for the 2022-2023 school year and was a member of the REO Town Commercial Association in 2023. She also facilitated and marketed BWL’s second annual Cereal for Summer Food Drive in 2023, which raised over 1300 boxes of cereal for the Greater Lansing Food Bank.

Darren Bardell is a producer at Rathbun Insurance and is committed to diversity and community impact. He is a current board member of the Delta Waverly Rotary, Big "I" Michigan Committee, For Good Foundation, and the National African American Insurance Association (Detroit/Michigan Chapter). Bardell also mentors students through Lansing School District's insurance program and holds a Certified Tourism Ambassador designation.

Elena Herrera is the owner of Ledger Ally, which was the platinum winner of the 2023 Community Votes in bookkeeping and earned a technical assistance contract with Motor City Match. Herrera balances entrepreneurship with raising four children and is passionate about supporting local communities, managing communications for the Latino Business Expo, and fostering Latino-owned businesses in Michigan. Herrera is the currently the co-chair of the Latino Business Conexión of Michigan, secretary & fundraiser coordinator for Ballet Maria Luz. She is passionate about supporting local communities and fostering Latino-owned businesses in Michigan.

Gloria Duda is a commercial loan officer and Michigan State Federal Credit Union. Duda is a first-generation college grad who balances working full-time while getting her degree, all while becoming a new mom. She is the current treasurer of the Allen Neighborhood Center Board, is a member of the LEDC Grant Review Committee, was a member of the MSUFCU DEI Council from 2021 to 2023 and served as medical advocate for the MSU Sexual Assault program from 2014 to 2017.

Jacki Krumnow is the marketing director and master of mischief at High Caliber Karting and Entertainment. Krumnow holds a master's in public relations from Kent State University. With a decade of Marketing and PR experience, she leads at High Caliber Karting & Entertainment while championing non-profits and mentoring small businesses. Krumnow is her bold fashion at networking events and her impactful community campaigns like "Being High Caliber in the Community.” She is a proud Athena WIN member and is a champion for Lansing's non-profits like Ele's Place and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Jacob Toomey currently serves as an Eaton County commissioner and the legislative director for Rep. Jason Morgan. Toomey is a trusted leader, advocate for public safety, and supporter of good-paying jobs and has worked to support middle-class families, fund local parks, and expand public safety. He is a current CapCAN board member and has been vice chair of the Eaton County Democrat Party Young Democrats since 2021. Toomey also served as a Dimondale trustee from 2021 to 2023.

Keith Lambert is the chief operating officer of the Lansing Area Economic Partnership. Lambert graduated magna cum laude from Michigan State University with a degree in International Relations from James Madison College, an added major in Economics. He is the currently serves as vice chair of the Insuring MI Future board, has served on the board of the Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission since 2008, was a member of the Capital Area Manufacturing Council executive committee from 2017 to 2021 and was a board member of Capital Area IT Council from 2020 to 2022.

Kirbay Preuss is the manager and co-owner of Preuss Pets and was voted Top Customer Service employee in the City Pulse Top of The Town Awards this year. She is fierce supporter of entrepreneurship and the potential of young professionals. Preuss was offered a leadership award from LCC from the Ombudsman of the college for her work volunteering in the community and supporting students in her volunteer role as Honor Society president. Preuss has served on the Old Town promotions committee, launched Kids Day in Old Town, and has brought growth to the Old Town area through sustaining Dog “Howl-oween” which draws over 500+ visitors. She also volunteers with the Firecracker Foundation, Small Talk Children's Assessment Center, and Peckham, Inc.

Lhauren Singleton is the executive director of the Ready Set ASPIRE, which has a mission to educate, equip, and empower individuals to make positive choices. Singleton is also a youth advocate, minister, leadership coach, and speaker. She is dedicated to making a positive impact and her teenage experiences fuel her passion for empowering youth. She holds a bachelor's degree in ministry leadership with a minor in Business Management from Corner Stone University. Singleton currently serves on the Building Child and Family Initiatives board, is a member of the BHC Outreach Steering Committee and is the MI SRA Council board president.

About the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce:
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce works relentlessly to help businesses connect, grow, and thrive. For nearly 120 years, the Chamber has served as the voice of the Greater Lansing business community. We are catalysts for change, uniting business leaders to do collectively what cannot be done alone. More information about the Chamber and its programs and services can be found online at lansingchamber.org, Facebook (@LansingChamber), Instagram (@lansingregionalchamber), Twitter (@LansingChamber), and LinkedIn.

About Lansing 5:01:
Lansing 5:01 strives to retain and attract young professionals in the Lansing region by connecting both college talent and young professionals to the community’s emerging quality of life opportunities. Lansing 5:01 partners with over 35 companies and organizations across the Lansing region, including Fortune 500 companies, non-profit agencies and creative small businesses.